If Francis Uzoho Moves To Malmö, Can He Regain Number One Slot In Super Eagles?

I think it's fair to say that Francis Uzoho's Super Eagles' career is in dire straits.

Hailed as the future of Nigeria's goalkeeping departments for years to come after making his impressive competitive debut at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the 25 year old Imo state born netminder's international football career now hangs by a thread.

No thanks to laughable and hugely damaging boo-boos in between the sticks for Nigeria in recent seasons.

His ineffective parry led to the goal that contributed to Nigeria losing out on 2022 World Cup qualification in Qatar whilst his inability to anticipate and deflect long shots led to the goal against Zimbabwe which might yet again contribute to Nigeria missing out on 2026 World Cup qualification in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Sandwiched between those high profile faux pases where several butterfinger performances in friendlies and qualifiers which have contributed to a homebase goalkeeper now taking his place as third choice in the Super Eagles - it is that bad!

However, his fortunes might just be about to change.

In the article on Complete Sports, Uzoho is linked to a move to reputable Swedish side Malmö.

Should it materialise and he plays regularly, even in continental competitions, then a recall to the Super Eagles should be on the cards.

Personally, I have never regarded Uzoho as an incompetent goalkeeper. I think limited game time in Cyprus coupled with the thin midfield employed by Coaches Eguavoen and Peseiro had left him damagingly exposed.

In the last 5 games for Nigeria, current number 1 Stanley Nwabili has conceded 7 goals - testament to how bad a good goalkeeper can be made to look if not afforded adequate protection. In 2 recent World Cup qualifiers, Uzoho conceded 2 goals against Zimbabwe and Lesotho but Nwabili conceded 3 with the same number of games against South Africa and Benin.

So, Uzoho wasn't that bad, the structure was not strong enough to shield any goalkeeper.

However, he remains damaged goods in the eyes of many fans who fail to look holistically at the factors that sullied his unfortunate recent performances.

That said, it will be a major boost to his international career for this transfer to go ahead. Just like another blundering outcast (Maduka Okoye) whose sterling performances in club football helped revitalise his Super Eagles prospects, Uzoho will be hoping for similar.

Aside from the 2018 World Cup, Uzoho has this unfortunate habit of being number 2 in major tournaments. He played second fiddle to Alampasu in U-17 World Cup and then to Akpeyi, Okoye and Nwabili in successive Afcons.

Will he return to number 1 for next Afcon and the 2026 World Cup should we qualify? I sure hope so and this proposed move will be pivotal to that ambition.